Installation

Instructions

GTS Series
Internally Mounted Steam Seal

Experience In Motion
Introduction
The GTS steam turbine seal is especially designed for operation in steam turbine
applications. Successful operation relies on proper installation of the seal. These
installation guidelines will cover the basic steps required to install the seal as well
as additional factors to consider that will affect the installation. These steps are
based on a cross section of turbines seen in actual installations and will cover all
of the basics. There may be differences in your specific application.

A typical seal assembly is attached for reference purposes only. Refer to the
job drawing for details on the actual seal assembly dimensions, correct part
numbers, and the turbine configuration. The item numbers in the procedure refer
to the item numbers on this typical drawing. Item numbers may differ slightly on
the job assembly.

1 Tools
The GTS seal is designed around standard hardware with a minimum of tools
required for installation. These include:

Needle nose pliers

5/16 Open end wrench
7/64 and 5/32 “Allen” wrenches
Set of adjustable OD spanner wrenches

2 Inspection of Steam Turbine in Operation

If possible, observe the turbine operating with the carbon rings installed prior
to taking it out of service to install the GTS seals. Excessive steam leakage for
carbon rings could indicate a problem with the turbine that should be addressed
prior to seal installation

Investigate the following areas for excessive steam leakage:

2.1 Bad carbon rings or failed seal.

2.2 Cracked turbine case. Inspect the areas where steam leakage was present
for signs of erosion, corrosion, etc.

2.3 Split line of turbine case or cover. Check for warpage that prevents effective
sealing. Examine split line to see if steam leakage across the joint has
eroded the case and cover.

2.4 Shaft damage, especially in the area of the carbon rings. Check the
integrity of the overlay. It is possible for steam to leak beneath the overlay if
improperly applied.

The images of parts shown in these instructions may differ visually from the actual
parts due to manufacturing processes that do not affect the part function or quality.
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2.5 Check the turbine alignment. The shaft runout and the perpendicularity
should meet normal pump standards. The concentricity may be much larger
than that typically seen in a pump. The flange for internally mounted seals
pilots on the turbine and requires a TIR < .020” for proper seal function.

Talk to the operations and maintenance personnel regarding the above

concerns. Find out if there are any other issues regarding turbine reliability and
performance.

3 Inspection of Steam Turbine Piping and Application

of Steam Traps
Water is a problem for turbines in general, but poses some unique challenges
for mechanical seals. Hot water under pressure at the OD of the seal faces will
flash to form steam as it crosses to the atmospheric pressure at the ID of the
faces. The expansion ratio when water is converted to steam is over 1600 to 1.
This generates a large force that causes the faces to separate, resulting in high
leakage. The GTS seal is robust and can recover from normal water slugs that
occur during start up. However, operation in water will result in high leakage that
is not generally acceptable for prolonged operation.

As a practical matter, altering the turbine piping to remove water and improve
performance of the turbine and mechanical seals is not an option for most
end users. However, inspecting the piping can yield useful information about
potential problems that may be reduced or eliminated through the application of
mechanical free float actuated steam traps.

Check your piping system for the following:

3.1 Piping should slope downward 10 cm per 10 m (4 inches per 30 ft) in the
direction of steam flow to aid condensate drainage.

3.2 Piping should be straight and free from sags where condensate could
collect and create a slug of water.

3.3 Eccentric reducers should be used instead of concentric reducers, to

prevent condensate from pooling upstream of the reducer and creating a
slug of water.

3.4 Equipment supply lines should be connected to the top of steam mains, not
the bottom, so that dirty condensate running along the bottom of the mains
does not flow into the equipment.

3.5 Steam traps should be installed at regular intervals (every 30 to 50 m or

100 to 150 ft) in the steam main with correctly sized condensate pockets.

3.6 Steam traps should be installed upstream of isolation valves that are
regularly closed.

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3.7 Insulation of sufficient thickness should be installed on the piping to prevent
excess radiation losses that result in condensate formation. Insulation
should be dry, weatherproofed, and undamaged.

If your steam piping system lacks one or more of these features you may
experience more problems with water slugs entering the turbine and with
condensate collecting in the turbine. These problems will be further worsened
if the steam main temperatures are near or at the saturation temperature of
the steam. Typically, turbines that are distant from the source of the steam
experience more problems because radiation losses have caused the steam
temperatures to drop and condensate formation to increase. Also, condensate
from upstream in the system will flow downstream if steam traps are not installed
and functioning properly at regular intervals along the steam main.

To reduce problems caused by water in the turbine, the case drain of the turbine
should be piped to a steam trap with the following features:

3.8 Mechanical free float actuation. There are a wide variety of steam traps on
the market that fall into three basic categories: mechanical, thermostatic,
and thermodynamic. A mechanical free float trap evacuates water
immediately, whereas other types of mechanical traps and the thermostatic
and thermodynamic traps operate intermittently. Intermittent operation can
allow condensate to back up into the turbine and possibly the seals, which
is undesirable.

3.9 Automatic air venting. This feature is necessary to prevent air present
during start-up from locking the trap and preventing it from evacuating
water.

3.10 Adequate size for condensate load. For instance, a turbine that is placed in
hot standby will experience a much higher condensate load than a turbine
that operates continuously or in slow roll. In hot standby, radiation losses
from the exhaust pipe will cause condensate to form and run down into the
turbine. If the exhaust line enters the bottom of the exhaust steam main,
condensate running along the bottom of the main will enter the turbine as
well. It will take a large trap to prevent condensate from flooding the turbine
and the seals.

In continuous operation or slow roll, hot inlet steam will enter the turbine
and flow out through the exhaust. This will usually keep the exhaust line
much warmer than in hot standby, reducing the flow of condensate into
the turbine. Of course, the steam trap must be sized for the worst case
condition. If a turbine experiences both hot standby and continuous
operation, the steam trap should be sized for hot standby.

3.11 Located as near the turbine as possible. Long piping distances between
a steam trap and a turbine can cause the trap to steam lock. This occurs
when the line to the trap is filled with superheated steam. Superheated

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 steam gets trapped in the line and prevents new condensate from actuating
the trap. The condensate will back up into the turbine until the steam in the
line condenses. If it is impossible to locate the steam trap near the turbine,
use a trap that has a steam lock release valve.

3.12 Located below the turbine. The steam trap will not actuate until the
condensate reaches the trap. If the steam trap is elevated this will not occur
until the equipment is already partially flooded.

3.13 Important note: In most cases the bore of the turbine will be greater in
diameter than the seal face OD until the throat expands into the case. This
makes it easy for condensate that forms at the seals to drain back into
the turbine case. However, in some cases the diameter steps down. This
prevents condensate that forms at the seal faces from draining back into
the case. Instead, it pools around the seal faces at bottom dead center.
To prevent this from occurring the turbine geometry should be modified to
provide drainage into the case or separate steam traps should be applied
directly at the seals in addition to the trap provided at the case drain.

4 Inspection of Steam Turbine Components

4.1 Remove the rotor element from the steam turbine.

4.2 Remove coupling, thrust bearing, speed pickup, slinger, etc. from the rotor
assembly.

4.3 Inspect the seal assembly drawing and confirm the turbine dimensions
shown. See Figure 1.

4.4 Inspect the areas of all sealing surfaces. This includes the areas near the
flange gaskets 18 and sleeve gaskets 19 . See Figure 2. These areas
must be free from any large pits, corrosion, or steam erosion. Any damage
in these areas must be repaired to insure proper sealing of the static
gaskets.
4.5 Hand polish the shaft to remove any burrs or buildup of deposits. Any
damage in the seal areas should be repaired or the shaft replaced prior to
seal installation.

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Seal Chamber Requirements Figure 1
B
F O
F7

F1
F8 F2 A
F3 D
F4
F5
F6

A Turbine Bore F2 Groove Location F7 Groove Width

B Shaft Step to Box Face F3 Groove Location F8 Groove Depth Diameter
D Shaft Diameter F4 Groove Location O First Obstruction
F Turbine Depth F5 Groove Location
F1 Groove Location F6 Groove Location

5 Installation of Seal (Method 1)

5.1 Remove the seal assemblies from the box. Inspect for any obvious signs of
mishandling or damage.

5.2 Set aside the sleeve gaskets 19 , flange gaskets 18 , and lock pins 5
for installation later.

5.3 Spin the spanner nuts 9 until there is a .375 inch gap between the
retaining rings 54 and the flange shoulders. This simulates the installation
of the .375 inch wide flange gaskets 18 .

5.4 Lower the seal assemblies into the proper grooves in the turbine casing per
the assembly drawing. The setting devices 103 should be oriented at the
12 O'clock position. Lower the bearing caps into place to insure proper fit
of the assemblies. The spanner nuts should not interfere with the bearing
caps.

5.5 The seals should seat fully in the turbine case. If they do not, the turbine will
not seal at the split line. Measure the turbine bore diameters and the seal
OD diameters to ensure adequate clearance. Compare with the information
on the assembly drawing.

5.6 Mark the location of the lock pins 5 . These lock pins will prevent the seal
flanges from rotating in the turbine casing. A small slot must be milled or
ground into the casing for each pin so that the pins do not interfere with the
lowering of the top half of the casing. The slots should not be any larger
than necessary to contain the pins and should not break into the adjacent
gasket sealing areas.

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5.7 Remove the spanner nuts 9 , retaining rings 54 , and drive collars 58
from the assemblies. Be careful not to dislodge the split rings 94 .

5.8 Orient the seal so the drive collar end is facing away from the rotor.
Carefully slide the seals onto the appropriate shaft diameter without the
sleeve gaskets 19 and drive collars 58 . If the split rings pop out, reinstall
them.

5.9 Install the sleeve gaskets 19 and drive collars 58 onto the shaft and slide
them into location against the sleeve end. Be careful not to damage the
sleeve gaskets when sliding them onto the pilot diameter.

5.10 Lubricate the sleeve gasket compression screws 40 with anti-seize and
install them into the adjusting collar 129 finger tight. Be careful not to
dislodge the split rings when threading the screws into the adjusting collar.

Important Note: In some instances it may be difficult to get the screw

started. In this case, use a longer screw in 1-3 locations to compress the
gasket enough to get the shorter screws started. Remove the longer
screws and start the remaining shorter screws, again only finger tight. If the
longer screws are not removed, they will extend behind the adjusting collar
after final installation. This reduces the allowable axial travel of the seal and
could cause failure if the screws contact the flange.

5.11 Install the flange gaskets 18 , retaining rings 54 , and the spanner
nuts 9 . Use anti-seize on the nut threads. Thread the spanner nut onto
the flange but do not compress the gasket. Compressing the gasket at
this time will result in a failure.

5.12 Install the other turbine rotor components onto the shaft.

5.13 Temporarily secure the seals into position on the rotor.

5.14 Install the rotor assembly into the turbine. Take care not to damage the
flange gaskets. Also, take care to locate the seals in the appropriate
grooves.

5.15 Install the turbine bearing caps. Make sure there is no interference with the
seal spanner nuts. Note that the nuts will move farther in when tightened to
compress the flange gasket.
5.16 Install the lock pins into the flanges. Rotate the flanges so that the lock pins
are in the slots in the lower casing. Make sure the pins rest below the split
line in the turbine.

5.17 Remove the screws 40-1 that secure the setting plates 103 to the
sleeves. Do not remove the screws 40-2 that secure the setting plates to
the flanges at this time.

5.18 Tighten the sleeve gasket compression screws 40 in the drive collars
through the access window in the spanner nut 9 . Be sure to tighten all
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 screws evenly to insure uniform compression of the sleeve gasket. Rotate
the rotor assembly to access screws below the split line. The #10-32 HHCS
should be tightened to about 5.65 N-m (50 in-lbf). As a practical matter, this
torque is frequently difficult to measure. Use the following guideline as an
alternative. As the gasket is compressed the torque required to tighten the
screws will steadily increase. When the gasket is almost solid, the torque
will begin to climb much more rapidly. In practice this is very near the
5.65 N-m (50 in-lbf) guideline.

5.19 Tighten the drive collar set screws 57 to secure the seal assemblies to the
shaft. Use a torque of 17.6 N-m (156 in-lbf).

5.20 Remove the remaining setting plate screws 40-2 and remove the setting
plates. Store the 40-1 and 40-2 screws in the setting plate storage holes.
Keep the setting plates and screws for future use.

5.21 Install the top half of the turbine casing. Refer to the turbine manufacturer’s
recommendation for use of split-line sealant and torque values for case
bolts. Ensure that split line sealants do not come in contact with the seal
faces.

Important note: Be very careful if using any sort of flat gasket or “string”
gasket to seal the case split line. Either of these gaskets will create a gap
between the turbine cover and the case. Unless the flat gasket is flush with
the bore of the turbine, the GTS flange gasket 18 will not seal this gap and
will leak.

5.22 Tighten the spanner nuts 9 using the notches on the OD. An adjustable
OD spanner wrench is recommended. Tighten using the spanner wrench
until you cannot turn the nuts.

5.23 Proceed to warm up the turbine slowly. The flange gaskets may begin
to leak as the turbine casing expands. Tighten the spanner nuts until all
leakage stops.

5.24 Start the turbine. Usually, there should not be any visible leakage past the
seals during normal operation. In a cold climate, some steam leakage may
be visible.

6 Installation of Seal (Method 2)

An alternate method can be used to install internally mounted seals that may
make installation easier in some cases. This method can work very well to
remove and reinstall a set of seals that are already on the machine.

6.1 Slide the seal assemblies into place on the shaft as described in Method 1
above.

6.2 Install the thrust bearing. Do not install the other rotor components.

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6.3 Lower the rotor into the bottom half of the turbine case and onto the journal
bearings. Make sure the seals are located in the correct groove in the
turbine case. The thrust bearing should axially locate the rotor correctly
in the case. Verify that the nozzle clearance meets the manufacturers
specification.

6.4 Use machinist’s blue or a scribe to mark the location of the sleeve end
nearest the wheel (setting plate side of the seal, opposite the drive collar).
If seals were installed using Method 1, marking the location of the sleeve
end as described here will simplify reinstallation.

6.5 Remove the rotor from the case.

6.6 At least one threaded hole, usually #8-32, is provided in the end of the
sleeve in addition to the one required to screw the setting plate to the
sleeve. Find a #8-32 set screw and use this hole to secure the end of the
sleeve to the shaft at the location marked in step 6.4.

6.7 Tighten the sleeve gasket compression screws 40 and the set screws 57 .
Make sure the seal stays in the correct location. The drive collar should
draw up on the sleeve. It is usually much easier and faster to tighten these
screws when access is not restricted by the case, as is the situation with
Method 1. Also, it is possible to measure the torque used to tighten the
sleeve gasket compression screws.

6.8 Remove the screw installed in 6.6 to hold the seal in the proper location.
Steam corrosion could cause the screw to seize. Also, if later forgotten
during disassembly damage to the shaft could occur during disassembly.

6.9 Build up the rotor and install it into the turbine.

6.10 Remove the setting plates and finish assembly of the turbine.

7 Testing of Turbine with Seals

After installing GTS seals in a turbine, static and dynamic testing under air or
steam pressure is recommended. Safety precautions for pressurized equipment
should be followed at all times. Note that if GTS seals are exposed to a slug of
water they will leak more until the water has dissipated.

7.1 Seal the turbine case exhaust and inlet with flanges rated for at least 50
psig (345 kPa) or the desired back pressure. Connect a pressure source
and provide a pressure indicator rated for 344 kPa (50 psig) or the desired
back pressure.

7.2 Pressurize the turbine case to 344 kPa (50 psig) with no shaft rotation to
test static leakage. GTS seals faces lift off with pressure so some leakage

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 is normal. Isolate the turbine case from the pressure source and monitor the
pressure decay. Typical pressure decay over a minute is 69-103 kPa (10-15
psig). A slight hissing sound may be audible from the GTS seals.

7.3 If the turbine operates at a higher back pressure, the turbine can be
pressurized accordingly if there is sufficient pressure source and the test
flanges, etc. are rated as such. It is normal for the pressure to decay more
quickly at higher pressures.

7.4 Conduct a rotational test of the turbine with back pressure on the seals set
at minimum 345 kPa (50 psig). The shaft speed should be a minimum 800
rpm for this test. Do not conduct the rotational test at less than 345 kPa
(50 psig), this could result in seal face contact and damage. Rotational
testing is generally a short duration to check overall equipment assembly.

7.5 After rotational testing, repeat step 6.2 and compare pressure decay
results. Pressure decay results should be equal.

8 Repairs
This product is a precision sealing device. The design and dimension tolerances
are critical to seal performance. Only parts supplied by Flowserve should be used
to repair a seal. To order replacement parts, refer to the part code and B/M
number. A spare backup seal should be stocked to reduce repair time.

When seals are returned to Flowserve for repair, decontaminate the seal
assembly and include an order marked "Repair or Replace." A signed
certificate of decontamination must be attached. A Material Safety Data
Sheet (MSDS) must be enclosed for any product that came in contact with
the seal. The seal assembly will be inspected and, if repairable, it will be rebuilt,
tested, and returned.

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Seal Nomenclature Figure 2

40-1 103 76 3 40-2 5 11 18 54 152 129 58 9

1 15 14 13 79 3-1 94 19 57 40

No. Description No. Description

3 Drive Pin 18 Gland Gasket

13 Seat Gasket 19 Sleeve Gasket
14 Stationary Face 40 Hex Head Cap Screw
15 Rotating Face 40-1 Socket Head Cap Screw
76 Rot Face Gasket 40-2 Socket Head Cap Screw
79 Bellows Assy 54 Retaining Ring
152 Bellows Adapter Gasket 57 Cup Point Set Screw
1 Shaft Sleeve 58 Drive collar
3-1 Drive Pin 94 Split Ring
5 Lock Pin 103 Setting Plate
11 Gland 129 Adjusting Collar
9 Spanner Nut

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 TO REORDER REFER TO
B/M #
F.O.

FIS128eng REV 09/2018 Printed in USA

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